From the Homily...

2018

August 11 & 12: Was the manna in the desert to meet their physical needs and just ordinary bread? No - it was to also meet their spiritual needs. Elijah was also fed by bread to meet both his physical and spiritual needs. We are the new Israel and are also fed with the Bread that comes down from heaven.

August 4 & 5: The first reading is our story. We are an enslaved people - slaves to sin and our weaknesses. Our journey of liberation, our spiritual journey, also has a lot of obstacles (just like what the Israelites experienced in the desert). We need the Bread of Life, the Eucharist, to strengthen and sustain us.

July 28 & 29: When there are problems in our lives, we often focus on our inadequacies or trivalize our talents. Instead of focusing on how big the problem is, see what the Lord can do.

July 21 & 22:By our Baptism, we are all shepards. How well are we doing sheparding God's people? When the apostles were pleased with their sucesses, Jesus told them to go to a deserted place and rest and be instructed by the Lord. Sunday mass is where we can spend time with the Lord and get refreshed for the coming week.

July 14 & 15:God picked Amos and apostles to deliver God's message. Neither Amos or the apostles made the message up. Not only do we act as prophets (as annointed in our Baptism), but we are also to receive the message from others. Nor should we discount others - the Spirit can use anyone!

July 7 & 8: In Baptism, we are annointed priest, prophet, and king. As a priest, we pray for one another; as a prophet, we denounce evil in our community and call attention to God's will; as a king, we protect and shepard God's people. We should plan on facing rejection for these actions.

June 30 & July 1: Mission Sunday - mission appeal from the Hospitaller Sisters of Mercy who are now running the Carter May House.

June 23 & 24: John came from priestly class. Jesus said "theres is none born of woman greater thant he" yet John responds in humility. "He must increase; I must decrease." He was humble and of service; we should be, to. And he was committed to the truth. Do we measure up?

June 16 & 17: Ordinary time is regular time. It is a time for us to learn how to be disciples. Something IS happening - we're growing in the grace of God if we are listening.

June 2 & 3: We Catholic Christians who believe in the Holy Eucharist are like the apostles who say "Lord, to whom would we go?" (John 6:68) when many others were not able to believe in the Body and Blood of Christ. Do we believe that it IS the Body and Blood of Christ?

May 26 & 27: This feast of the Trinity summarizes the story that began in Advent. In Advent, we celebrate creation - including God the Father who begot His Son, Jesus. In Lent, we prepare for Jesus' sacrifice for us. After Easter, Jesus promises the Holy Ghost. The Holy Trinity works in unity and harmony, and models both for us.

May 19 & 20: The Feast of Pentecost is the birthday of the church. Saying "Jesus is Lord" has many implications - especially for the early Christians. The Holy Spirit emboldens us to proclaim it. The Holy Spirit also gives us gifts - for the good of the whole.

May 12 & 13: Today we celebrate the Feast of the Ascension. This feast is Jesus' last day where He's with the apostles physically. He tells them to proclaim the Word. Don't just stand there looking - but go proclaim His Word, live the Christian life.

May 5 & 6:We're still in the Easter season. The Easter season tells us about God's immense love for us. God IS love.

April 28 & 29: Barnabas means "son of encouragement." God sent disciples out in twos. We are to support one another. We're all connected - like branches on a vine. Witness boldly! And look out for one another.

April 21 & 22: In the Old Testament, God is often referred to as the Good Shepard. Kings were called shepards. David was a shepard before he was a king. There were, though, many bad kings/shepards who led the Jews into exile. Christ is the Good Shepard. Ezekial foretold of the Good Shepard. Christ truly is the Good Shepard who lays down his life! - Fr. Garcia, visiting priest

April 13 & 14: Christiantity is based on hard facts. If we believe, we should spread the word, the Good News. The first Christians believed and risked death. We should pray to have our eyes opened too.

April 7 & 8: He is raised! What punctuation marks are we using? A period? It's done, and we don't have to think about it for a year? A question mark? Thomas' response was question mark that was answered by Jesus. Use a comma; it means something is to follow. "He is risen, ..."

March 31 & April 1: He is risen! Hallelujah! We celebrate the feast of the Resurrection. We're celebrating the "be all, end all" of christianity. What are you doing with that knowledge? St. Paul tells us to be witnesses.

March 24 & 25:We should ponder the events of Holy Week. The events are about Jesus' passion to save us, His brothers and sisters.

March 17 & 18: Jesus Christ, God's Son, steps in for the people, since the people weren't honoring the covenant. We are the people; we made a covenant with God through our baptism. Let's work hard to walk in the ways of God. God comes to us - let's go meet Him!

March 10 & 11: By the suffering, death, and resurrection of Christ we are saved. Not by what we do, but by God's graciousness. When we were still sinners, God did not abandon us but sent His Son to save us; God reached out to us. We need to live up to that!

March 3 & 4: Being Christian is more than just avoiding evil; it's about being committed to doing good! In Lent, we can spring-clean and get rid of those things that bog us down in our relationships.

February 24 & 25: God "proved" Himself to Abraham; He proves Himself to us throughout our lives. If God is for us, who can be against us? This is the season to reflect on how much God loves us. - Deacon at Corpus Christi, Celebration, FL.

February 17 & 18:All the readings point to 'rebooting.' The story of Noah is a Divine reboot of creation. Lent is a time to reboot; to start again. Christ went into the desert and came back and started His ministry saying "repent." Repent, reboot.

February 14, Ash Wednesday:We haven't always been faithful. The prophet Joel encourages us to return to the Lord. And we have hope - our God is a merciful God. Lent is a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.

February 10 & 11:Jesus is a healing God. Leprosy was considered the worst illness to get. It took the leper great courage to approach Christ. Sin is also an illness. What leprosy do you have? Bring it to the Healer.

February 3 & 4:We have a God who gives us grace to overcome spiritual suffering, spiritual pains - our sins. God healed Paul who overcame his sin. When Paul becomes "all things for all", it is a reflection of how Christ came from God to become a man just like us.

January 27 & 28:One can be married to wealth, power, or fame. Don't worry about earthly things, but be ready for Christ's coming.

January 20 & 21:There is a conversion when we are called. Our conversion can be immediate or gradual. It can be life-long! The sacraments give us the grace for our conversion.

January 13 & 14:The Lord has a mission for each of us. What is your mission? How has God called you?

January 6 & 7:Today's Feast of the Epiphany of the Lord is part of the Christmas celebration. The Magis were searching for God. Are we? We come to church to know God better, to hear God's Word, to let God reveal Himself to us.

2017

December 30 & 31: Are our families holy? It's not what we do, but that God reaches out to us. Can we live in faith and obediance? Let us then pray for God's grace and courage.

Christmas Eve vigil: We all need someone to speak in our behalf, plead our case. We all need a savior. Today we celebrate the coming of that Savior. But we need to accept the offer.

December 23 & 24: King David was speaking of an earthly dwelling; God was speaking of something else. Jesus is the house that God promises. So, as last week's readings tell us, rejoice and give thanks always.

December 16 & 17: We are all called and annointed. We all have the Spirit of the Lord. How well are we bearing witness to the Light? And is our Christian vocation joyful?

December9 & 10: We are a people in exile. Our real home is eternity with God. The Lord hears us and comes to save us.

December 2 & 3: We are walking a spiritual treadmill; the reading are cyclical. But just as it takes time to see the benefits of walking a treadmill for health, something is maturing in us spiritually as long as we're not just marking time. Are we yearning for Christ' coming? If so - the treadmill works!

November 25 & 26:Jesus Christ is not a king that lords it over us; He's not a tyrant. He is a servant-king. He is the Good Shepard and advocates for us.

November 18 & 19: God has given every one of us talent. We should use the talent for the glory of God and for service for others. Don't be idle! Take a risk; God will appreciate the effort.

November 11 & 12:The Kingdom is like a wedding - full of joy. But we need to come prepared and keep our lights burning.

November 4 & 5: We should be servant-leaders. Christ gave us that example; "...the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve," (Matthew 20:28).

October 28 & 29: Love is the greatest commandment. Jesus doesn't tell us what not to do, but what to do. We are called to do good. (Fr. Przywara, visiting priest)

October 21 & 22: Seek and find His wisdom, peace, and hope. Live with humility and wisdom. (Fr. McDonough, visiting priest)

October 14 & 15: October is Respect Life month. We all have choices to make, including whether to love or not love. We're asked to keep Jesus' sacrificial love alive.Msgr. Lathem, visiting priest

September 29 & October 1: The readings are about conversion; Jesus doesn't want lip service from us. Our words and deeds should be one. Reinforce your commitment!

September 9 & 10: Put your name in the place of Ezekiel: Thus says the Lord, (name) I have appointed you as watchman. Practice the spiritual act of mercy to counsel the ignorant. But judge in love and in charity.

September 2 & 3: When it is hard to be a Christian, do we feel duped? Jesus reminds us that to be His follower, we have to take up our cross.

August 26 & 27: "Lord do not forsake the works of Your hands." God does not abandon the works of His hands; God uplifts them. (visiting priest for mission work, Fr. Reid)

August 19 & 20: "My house shall be called a house of prayer for all people." How inclusive are we? To be a disciple of Jesus, we must break down barriers like He did.

August 12 & 13: We all have human needs. We have the Savior in our midst, though. We need to remember to call on Him when the wind and waves of trouble prevail upon us.

August 5 & 6:Jesus' human body was like a veil over His divinity. The Transfiguration is one of the ways God reveals Christ's divinity to help us believe. God pulls apart the veil. It's a feast that helps us grow in faith.

July 29 & 30: "Do you understand all this?" is a complex question. Each parable leads to a question. What is my treasure? What am I searching for? And life is short, death is certain, and judgement is certain; am I ready for the judgement?

July 22 & 23: The church has an universal mission. We preach to all. Like the mustard seed, the church grows large enough that all can find a home. We cannot rest until all people have been saved by the church Jesus Christ founded. (visiting priest, Fr. Artur)

July 15 & 16: The seed is the grace of God which is scattered over all. All of us are the different types of soil at different times in our lives. God scatters the grace so we all can be fruitful.

July 8 & 9: God's law is a law of love; it's not meant to enslave us. If we find the law burdensome, Jesus says to bring our burden to Him. We bring all of our burdens to Him in the Eucharist.

July 1 & 2: What is the cost of discipleship? jesus wants to be the center of our lives. Ask for the grace of the Lord to guide us.

June 24 & 25: It takes courage to be Catholic in the face of difficulties. The courage is the grace of God. Do not be afraid; God certainly cares about you.

June 17 & 18, the Feast of Corpus Christi: This is the feast of the Body and Blood of Christ. Today is a feast of faith; we celebrate faith in this sacrament. A consecrated and non-consecrated host looks the same; it is in faith that we recognize they are very different.

June 10 & 11: The Holy Trinity is a great mystery but we don't have to understand it to be saved. All we have to do is to just believe.

June 3 & 4: We today, are the apostles of our time. Go out and take action.

May 27 & 28: Jesus' mission is accomplished. He came to tell us to repent, to forgive, and to have faith. Now He sends us on the mission.

May 20 & 21: Jesus said, "those who believe in me would do greater work than I". Do we really believe in this? Wait for the Holy Spirit, the Advocate, the one who will bring out the best in all of us!

May 13 & 14:The Acts of the Apostles could be called the 'deeds of the Apostles' and are to provide us examples of how to live as Christians and how to live lives of faith. "Love your neighbor as yourself." How committed am I to the ones around me? How committed is our church community?

May 6 & 7: Like Peter, do we boldly stand up in Jesus' name to proclaim our faith? Or do we miss chances to share our faith - even in the smallest ways?

April 29 & 30 - What is the point of the story of the road to Emmaus? Our God comes to meet us where we are. Encounter the living God! That's what the sacraments do. They help us to grow in intimacy.

Divine Mercy Sunday, April 23 - Why did the Easter event happen? So our sins would be forgiven. "Father, forgive them, for they do not know not what they are doing. (NIV Luke 23:34)"

Easter Sunday, April 16 - The Lord is risen, hallelujah! When we say "Christ has died," we need to say "Christ has died for ME." Spare no effort to tell the story.

Veneration of the Cross(Good Friday) - In the Passion narrative, Jesus says little - even though He knows His word has power. He empties Himself for us. Even on the cross, He shows concern for others. Can we empty ourselves for others?

Holy Thursday - By His word, Jesus changed water into wine at Cana. By His word, at the Passover supper, He broke bread and said "This is my body." Do we believe? That is our challenge.

April 8 & 9 - (Events of this Holy Week) are not to be preached upon, but pondered.

April 1 & 2 - We're dead in sin; cut off from God. What can give us life? Nothing but God. God gives us new life.

March 25 & 26 - We are all born blind because of original sin. We are only able to gain our sight when we are brought into light by Jesus.

March 18 & 19 - We all have human desires and look in all the wrong places. Only God can satisify them. God invites us to the Living Water.

March 11 & 12 - Today's Gospel is about the Transfiguration. We experiennce the Transfiguration every Sunday liturgy when God transfigures the ordinary bread and wine into His Son's body and blood.

March 4 & 5 - The church encourages us to pray more in Lent; connect with God.